The Indiana State Police is warning citizens of a jury duty scam that has now been reported in 11 states.

The scam begins with a caller who claims to be the jury coordinator for a particular jurisdiction and advises the victim they failed to appear for jury duty. This jury duty scam uses intimidation over the telephone by impersonating someone from the court system.

When the victim advises they were not summoned, the caller asks for their social security number and date of birth to cancel the arrest warrant that had been issued for their failure to appear for jury duty.

The information given by the victim is then used to steal their identity.

Remember, never give out personal information over the phone! Steps to prevent identity theft: • Release a social security number only when absolutely necessary.

• Do not have print social security number on checks.

• When ordering new checks have them delivered to a bank and not at home.

• Order social security earnings statement once a year to check for fraud. • Cross-cut shred credit card receipts, bills and other financial information.

• Order a credit report once a year to check for inaccuracies and fraud.

• Do not leave envelopes containing bill payments in the mailbox.

• Do not carry credit cards, social security cards, birth certificates and passports in a purse or wallet.

• Do not create PIN numbers by utilizing a house address, date of birth or consecutive numbers.

Report identity theft to the nearest law enforcement agency.

For information go to in.gov/isp.